2 Corinthians 4:8 BSB

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair;

KJV

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

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Commentary

3 voices

Tertullian

Scorpiace (220)

He also says, in verses occurring in a previous part of the epistle: "Our condition is such, that we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; and are in need, but not in utter want; since we are harassed by persecutions, but not forsaken; it is such that we are east down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in our body the dying of Christ." "But though," says he, "our outward man perisheth"-the flesh doubtless, by the violence of persecutions-"yet the inward man is renewed day by day"-the soul, doubtless, by hope in the promises.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

We are troubled, &c. - The four articles in this verse respect inward, the four in the next outward, afflictions. In each clause the former part shows the "earthen vessels;" the latter, "the excellence of the power." Not crushed - Not swallowed up in care and anxiety.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

We are troubled on every side - We have already seen, in the notes on the ninth chapter of the preceding epistle, that St. Paul has made several allusions to those public games which were celebrated every fifth year at the Isthmus of Corinth; and those games have been in that place particularly described. In this and the three following verses the apostle makes allusion to the contests at those games; and the terms which he employs in these verses cannot be understood but in reference to those agonistical exercises to which he alludes.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

10 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
παντὶ	panti	every [way]	G3956 →
θλιβόμενοι	thlibomenoi	being hard pressed	G2346 →
ἀλλ᾽	all᾽	but	G235 →
οὐ	ou	not	G3756 →
στενοχωρούμενοι,	stenochōroumenoi	being crushed,	G4729 →
ἀπορούμενοι	aporoumenoi	being perplexed	G639 →
ἀλλ᾽	all᾽	but	G235 →
οὐκ	ouk	not	G3756 →
ἐξαπορούμενοι,	exaporoumenoi	despairing,	G1820 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk5

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
leads to
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
- Ephesians 6:10
  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Romans 5:3
  Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- 2 Corinthians 13:4
  For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you.
- James 1:2
  Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,

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About 2 Corinthians

The Crown of Thorns — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

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Continue: 2 Corinthians 4 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians